El Mesteño Podcast

Join us on this episode of El Mesteño Podcast as we dive into the history of the South Texas "pachanga" and the incredible life of legendary music promoter Francisco "Panchito" Garza. In this episode: Featured Segment: Host David Flores and resident historian Homero Vera explore the origins of the "pachanga" social tradition in South Texas—from political rallies to ba...

In this episode of the *El Mesteño Podcast*, titled "The Scholar, The Soldier, The Activist: José de la Luz Sáenz," host David Flores sits down with historian and publisher Homero Vera to explore the remarkable life of a pivotal figure in Mexican-American history. Here is a breakdown of the segments included in this episode: Featured Segment: A deep dive into the life of José de la Luz S...

In this episode, host David Flores and resident historian Homero Vera explore the foundational years of Premont, Texas, shifting the spotlight to the Mexican and Mexican-American pioneers who built the town’s vibrant community. Featured Segment: The History of Premont We dive into the history of Premont, tracing its roots back to 1907 when developer R. P. Haldeman purchased the Galveston Ranch. Ho...

Episode 20: The Battle of Santa Gertrudis In this episode, host David Flores is joined by historian Homero Vera to uncover the pivotal, yet often overlooked, Battle of Santa Gertrudis. Fought on June 16, 1866, during the French Intervention in Mexico, this clash was the turning point that broke the back of imperialist forces in the northeast and helped return President Benito Juárez to power. Epis...

¡ Ay, Dios mío ! Get ready to step back in time, raza , because in this episode, David and Homero are taking us on a journey deep into Jim Hogg County during the 1800s. We are uncovering the legendary history of Rancho Randado —and let me tell you, this wasn't just some little ranchito . It was an absolute South Texas powerhouse! From a 50-peso land deal to a massive 35,000-acre empire famous...

Join David Flores and expert Homero Vera as they travel to San Ygnacio, Texas, one of the "crown jewels" of the border towns, to uncover a history rooted in stone and stars. Featured Story:  The episode details the 1830 founding of San Ygnacio by Don Jesús Treviño of Revilla, and the construction of the stone Fort Treviño by his son-in-law, Don Blas María Uribe. The heart of the story is...

¡Qué onda, familia! Welcome back to another episode of El Mesteno . Today, we are coming to you straight from the heart of the brush country to bring you a story that bridges the borderlands with the global stage. When you think of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema— la Época de Oro —one face immediately stands out. Those intense eyes, that commanding presence... we’re talking about the legendary Pe...

Welcome back to  El Mesteño ! Host David Flores and Editor/Publisher Homero Vera explore a foundational story etched into the caliche soil of South Texas:  The Legacy of Rancho Las Escobas . Founded in the 1850s by don José Felipe Guerra Hinojosa and doña Josefa González de Guerra, this Starr County operation grew from humble beginnings into an economic powerhouse, expanding to a staggering 46,450...

Think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day? Think again! Join host David Flores and SME Homero Vera for a 45-minute deep dive into the true story behind the holiday. We uncover the incredible 1862 Battle of Puebla, where General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín—a native son of Goliad, Texas—led 4,500 poorly equipped Mexican soldiers, including local hero Major Porfirio Zamora Galván, to defeat the sup...

Join host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera (Editor/Publisher of  El Mesteño  Magazine) as they dig into the story of Rancho Los Braziles, a place in north-central Brooks County that has been in continuous operation for nearly 150 years. In this episode, you will learn about: The Founding:  The journey of Don José Anastacio Barrera, who crossed the river from Cd. Mier, Tamaulipas,...

Episode 13: The Legacy of Don Esteban Cisneros and Doña Eulalia Tijerina de Cisneros Dive into the history of South Texas with the story of Don Esteban Cisneros and Doña Eulalia Tijerina de Cisneros, a powerful couple whose legacy stretches from Victoria down to the Rio Grande Valley. Host David Flores and Homero Vera of El Mesteño  Magazine explore Esteban’s life as a pioneer and leading stockman...

Episode 12: The Mercy of the Mesa: Francita Alavez, The Angel of Goliad Welcome back to the El Mesteño  podcast! Host David Flores and editor/publisher Homero Vera dig deep into a true South Texas story of courage and compassion during the heat of the Texas Revolution. This week, we uncover the incredible life of Francita Alavez, known to history as "The Angel of Goliad," an unsung heroi...

Venture into the gritty, dangerous, and often misunderstood era of Los Tequileros on El Mesteño*Podcast Episode 11. Host David Flores and *El Mesteño* Magazine Publisher Homero Vera explore how ordinary South Texas ranch *vaqueros* became alcohol smugglers in response to the 1920 Volstead Act (Prohibition). Discover the geography of the dangerous tequila trails that snaked from the Rio Grande (bet...

Welcome to El Mesteño  as host David Flores and editor Homero Vera dive deep into the life of Don Pedrito Jaramillo, "The Healer of Los Olmos". Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, around 1830, this legendary curandero  or faith healer settled near Los Olmos Creek in Texas in 1881. He was regarded as a saintly figure by thousands who believed God gave him the don  (power) to heal the si...

On this episode of the El Mesteño  podcast, Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera explore the life of Catarino Erasmo Garza, the journalist, folk hero, and revolutionary who bridged the gap between "the pen and the sword". The episode dives into the late 19th-century borderlands—a cultural and political battleground—where Garza forged his revolutionary spirit in the pri...

On this episode, Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera dive into the history of Duval County to celebrate the legendary  Anastacio B. Saenz —or "Tacho"—and his equine empire at Rancho Mesquite Bonito. Tacho was a true pioneer of the American Quarter Horse, with four of his horses ( Ace of Hearts II ,  Leonell ,  Little Pancho , and  Saenz ) listed in the A.Q.H.A. Founda...

Uncover a critical, yet often-overlooked Civil War clash in the heart of South Texas. On this somber anniversary, host David Flores and resident expert Homero Vera delve into The Battle of Los Patricios  at Los Olmos Creek on March 14, 1864. Hear the dramatic story of Valerio's men , Union-aligned forces, and the Confederate interception that changed lives. Homero Vera shares how new evidence—...

In this warm, conversational  platica  that feels like a chat on a South Texas porch, we travel down FM Road 716 to the  pueblito  of Concepcion. We unpack the town's deep history, which stretches back to before Texas was a state. In this episode, you will hear about: The Land Grants:  The vital role of the  Charco Redondo  as an oasis and the original 1809 land grant, "Santa Cruz de la C...

¡Qué onda, gente! Join David Flores and historian Homero Vera as they pay tribute to the "jefes" (bosses)—the master vaqueros who are the backbone of South Texas ranching. We honor the legacies of Enemorio "Teco" Serna, Santa Gertrudis showman Librado Maldonado, third-generation Kineño Nicolas G. Rodriguez, and veteran Narciso Pulido, Jr. Discover the pura verdad and dedication...

Ricardo Moreno Beasley was not an artist who  painted  the West—he was a rancher who  lived  it. In this episode, Homero and David dive into the life of the self-taught South Texas artist who captured the true stories of the vaqueros he worked alongside, sketching their daily struggle and skill in the  chaparral . Learn about Beasley’s deep family roots in the original Mexican land grants like  La...

Head south to Alice, Texas, with El Mesteno Podcast! In this episode, "Rancho Alegre: El Origen," hosts David Flores and Homero Vera dive into the uplifting story of how the  barrio  of Rancho Alegre, or "Happy Ranch," got its name. Based on the firsthand account of  pionero  Juan C. Rodriguez, discover the tale of the Rodriguez family, who put down roots in South Texas with the purchase of two an...

Homero Vera shares the true, dramatic story of his great-grandfather, vaquero Eleno Salinas. In the late 1800s, Eleno unknowingly takes a job with a gang of rustlers in South Texas. When his sharp eye recognizes a stolen horse by its brand, his life is suddenly at risk—with the outlaws plotting to kill him and throw him into a well ("el pozo"). What follows is a tale of a desperate escape, a warni...

Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera dig into the fiercely rooted history of Rios, Texas, in Duval County. Discover the community's story, which stretches back to the indigenous Los Venados hunters and a crucial 1835 Mexican land grant to Don Dionisio Elizondo. Learn about the founding families—the Gonzalez', Vera's, and Martínez'—who settled the land as Rancho Santa Cruz and La...